Marta Machej is a photographer from Warsaw, self-taught, with many publications and exhibitions to her credit, including in magazines such as L'Officiel and Forbes. Focusing on portraiture and fashion, she works with celebrities and shows that in today's world it is still possible to show the world and people naturally, without retouching. She values people the most in her work, and is most easily recognized by her loud giggles throughout the studio/street. Black and white smiling portraits are her trademark. In 2019 she won the Viva!Photo Awards in the Beauty category with a series of beauty shots, and in 2022 her original "Real Woman" Project, showing successful women without any retouching, saw the light.
Q&A
- How did you start with photo/video?
It was a coincidence. There was always a camera in my house, because my dad takes pictures (though never professionally). One day I asked him to lend me the camera for the winter holidays, which I spent at my beloved stable. That's how it all started. To this day I remember the photos I took then. After that, the camera went with me regularly - there were animals, sunrises and sunsets, dreaming of working for "National Geographic"! Finally, acquaintances, persuaded me to take some pictures for them. Moments later there was a fanpage on Facebook, an account on Maxmodels, the first sessions, models. And before I knew it, I realized that in life I wouldn't have met these wonderful people I know through photography. Then I also realized that I was showing people in my photos in a way that they themselves couldn't see. Photography is a powerful medium to work on myself, to heal complexes, to make people happy. After that, it went on its own, because these feelings drive you to action! - How would you describe your style?
In my photos I focus primarily on truth, naturalness, simplicity. If I already have to retouch, it will be minimal interference. I love black and white photos, full of emotions, I like to show people as they are. And I'm addicted to smiles in photos! I don't think I've ever done a session where I didn't catch someone's genuine smile, even when they're claiming they don't like it. Even if I photograph fashion, I always smuggle a few portraits in there.
- What inspires you?
People! I always try to get to know the person first and show them, not my image of them. I love traveling, where I always say a million times where and who I would take a picture of, but it still comes down to the people at the end of the day, because they are the ones I take pictures of. - What is your dream shoot or project?
Surely a session for Vogue is somewhere on the list, but I've already learned that I'm much more inspired by the road and the people I meet than by crossing more items off the list. I'm currently doing shoots that I wouldn't have dared to dream of a year ago, so today the dream of photographing Angelina Jolie, for example, stops being a dream and starts being a plan!
- What is your best advice to others that want to develop as photographers?
First of all - nothing is impossible. First of all, for success you need a love of photography - this way it ceases to be a job and is a never-ending adventure, success will appear on its own at some point. The second important thing - respect and appreciate the people you work with, a cliché that is often forgotten in this industry! And above all - believe in yourself. If you like a certain style, go for it, there's no point in doing something because it gets clicked on Instagram, because it's trendy. Whatever is in your soul - there will be people and companies who will fall in love with it and with you! There is no point in pretending and copying anyone, it really can be felt and seen right away! And also jendo - it's worth being patient, sometimes you have to wait for your moment, but it's really worth it! - What is the most important in your camera bag?
Sony A7III, Tamron 35-150/2-2.8 is my set for 97% of the photos, sometimes I also use Samyang 85/1.4 - for street fashion and Contax Planar 50/1.4 for portraits with magic bokeh. - What camera bag do you use?
Manfrotto case
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Website: Martamachej.com